Method for providing graphical user interface for changing reproducing time point and imaging apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A method for providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for changing a reproducing time point, and an imaging apparatus incorporating the same are provided. The GUI for changing a reproducing time point displays reduction images of specific time points within a time period including a specific time point selected by a pointer, and changes the reproducing time point to the time point represented by the reduction image selected from the displayed reduction images. Accordingly, a user is able to search for a desired time point without going through a plurality of manipulations to change the reproducing time point on the progress bar using the pointer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2007-0008530, filed Jan. 26, 2007, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention relate toproviding a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for changing a reproducingtime point, and more particularly, to providing GUI for changing acurrent reproducing time point and an image apparatus incorporating thesame.

2. Description of the Related Art

A progress bar is widely used to represent a current reproducing timepoint while a moving image is reproduced. The progress bar representsthe length of whole moving image in a bar form, and represents thecurrent reproducing time point by moving the bar.

If a reproducing time point that is different from the currentreproducing time point is selected on the progress bar, then the currentreproducing time point is changed to the selected time point. Thedifferent time point on the progress bar is selected by inputting apointer. In doing so, the progress bar changes the reproducing timepoint faster than a fast forward (FF) operation or a rewind (REW)operation.

Unlike the FF or the REW operations, which change the reproducing timepoint in real time, the progress bar only displays an image of thechanged time point. Accordingly, it is impossible to locate the desiredtime point by changing the reproducing time point once, and a userusually locates the desired time point after numerous trials and errors.

Accordingly, the user has to go through a plurality of manipulations tochange the reproducing time point using the pointer on the progress bar.Further, the longer the length of the moving image, the more the user isinconvenienced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, aspects of the present invention address at least the aboveproblems. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome theproblems described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention may not overcome any of the problems described above.

An aspect of the present invention provides a method for providing a GUIfor changing a reproducing time point to display reduction images oftime points within a time period comprising the time point selected by apointer, and for changing the reproducing time point to the time pointrepresented by the reduction image selected from the displayed reductionimages, and an image apparatus incorporating the same.

A method for providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for changing areproducing time point may comprise: generating a reproducing time pointguiding graphic which indicates a current reproducing time point and apointer, and combining the generated reproducing time point guidinggraphic and the pointer with a displayed image; if a specific time pointis selected from the reproducing time point guiding graphic by thepointer, combining reduction images of time points within a specifictime period comprising the selected time point with the displayed image;and if one of the reduction images is selected, changing the currentreproducing time point into the time point represented by the selectedreduction image.

The method for providing a GUI for changing reproducing time point mayfurther comprise combining a connection line visually connecting thespecific time point displayed on the reproducing time point guidinggraphic and the reduction images with the displayed image.

The length of the specific time period may be in proportion to the wholelength of moving image being reproduced.

The method for providing a GUI for changing reproducing time point mayfurther comprise: generating reduction images of time points differentfrom the time points represented by the reduction images combined withthe displayed image, and combining the generated reduction images withthe displayed image.

The different time points may comprise one of reduction images prior toor following the reduction images combined with the displayed image.

The specific time point may be positioned at one of the beginning,middle, or ending of the time period.

The pointer may be moved in a space by two-dimensional movement of aremote control apparatus by a user.

The pointer moves to the same direction as the face of the remotecontrol is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel with a screen of adisplay.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image apparatus comprising: a Graphical User Interface (GUI)generator which generates a GUI and combines the generated GUI with animage to be displayed; and a controller which controls the GUI generatorto generate a reproducing time point guiding graphic which indicates acurrent reproducing time point and a pointer and to combine with adisplayed image, which controls the GUI generator to combine reductionimages of time points within a specific time period comprising thespecific time point with the displayed image, if a specific time pointis selected from the reproducing time point guiding graphic by thepointer, and which changes the current reproducing time point into thetime point represented by selected reduction image, if one of thereduction images is selected.

The controller may control the GUI generator to combine a connectionline visually connecting the specific time point displayed on thereproducing time point guiding graphic and the reduction images with thedisplayed image.

The length of specific time period may be in proportion to the wholelength of moving image being reproduced.

The controller may control the GUI generator to generate reductionimages of time points different from the time points represented by thereduction images combined with the displayed image, and to combine thegenerated reduction images with the displayed image.

The different time points may be one of reduction images prior to orfollowing the reduction images combined with the displayed image.

The specific time point may be positioned at one of the beginning,middle, or ending of the specific time period.

The pointer may be moved in a space by two-dimensional movement of aremote control apparatus by a user.

The pointer may move to the same direction as the face of the remotecontrol is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel with a screen of adisplay.

The image apparatus may further comprise a display which displays thereproducing time point guiding graphic, the pointer, the reductionimages, and the image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above aspects and other aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanydrawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are views illustrating a broadcast receiving systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the TV and the remote control of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a GUI forchanging a reproducing time point according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are views illustrating a method for providing aGUI for changing reproducing time point of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image apparatus according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining a method for providing a GUI forchanging a reproducing time point according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be describedin greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a view illustrating a broadcast receiving system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1A,a broadcast receiving system comprises a digital television (DTV) 100 asa broadcast receiving apparatus and a remote control 200 as a user inputapparatus (remote control apparatus).

The DTV 100 provides a user with a broadcast received over wire orwirelessly, through a display D. A pointer P is displayed on the displayD. Additionally, the DTV 100 may provide a user with an external inputreceived from an external apparatus which is connected over wire orwirelessly, through the display D, and may also provide a user with abroadcast by reproducing a file, such as a moving image file, a stillimage file, a music file, etc., stored in a built-in storage media.

The remote control 200 sends information regarding the manipulation ofthe user to the DTV 100, and the DTV 100 operates according to thereceived information. Although the remote control 200 of FIG. 1Aincludes a plurality of keys, the remote control 200 may include eitherone or two keys as occasion demands. A plurality of keys are provided onthe top side of the remote control 200, but the plurality of keys may beprovided on the other sides such as the left or right side, or thebottom.

As indicated by dotted arrows in FIG. 1A, the face of the remote control200 may be moved in a space by the user in an upwards or downwardsdirection, or to the left or right, or in a direction combining two ofthese directions, such as an upper-leftwards direction, for instance.That is, the face of the remote control 200 may be moved in anydirection.

For example, the face of the remote control 200 may be moved whiledrawing a locus on a virtual plane (VP) which is in a parallel relationwith a screen of the display D. FIG. 1B is a view illustrating a case inwhich the face of the remote control 200 is moved to the left directionwhile drawing a locus on a virtual plane which is in a parallel relationwith the screen of the display D by the user.

The VP may not be in a perfect parallel relation with the screen of thedisplay D, and may not be a perfect plane. That is, it is practicallyimpossible for the movement of the face of the remote control 200 by theuser to be on a perfect plane and in a perfect parallel relation withthe screen of the display D.

Accordingly, the present invention may be applicable to the case inwhich the face of the remote control 200 moves on an imperfect plane andin an imperfect parallel relation with the screen of the display D.

A user may move the face of the remote control 200 by turning only theuser's wrist while the user's arm holding the remote control 200 isfixed.

If only the user's wrist moves in an upwards or downwards direction, orto the left or right, or in a direction combining these, such as anupper leftward direction, the face of the remote control 200 may bemoved upwards, downwards, or to the left or right, or in a directioncombining any of these movements, such as an upper leftwards directionwhile drawing a curved locus on a virtual hemisphere surface. FIG. 1C isa view illustrating the case in which the face of the remote control 200is moved to the left by a user while drawing a curved locus on a virtualhemisphere surface.

The virtual hemisphere surface, on which the face of the remote control200 is moved by rotation of the user's wrist, may be a mathematicallyimperfect hemisphere surface. That is, it is practically impossible forthe face of the remote control 200 to be moved by rotating the user'swrist while drawing a locus on a mathematically perfect hemispheresurface.

Accordingly, the present invention may be applicable to the case inwhich the face of the remote control 200 does not move on amathematically perfect hemisphere, but moves on an imperfect hemispheresurface while drawing a curved locus.

Thus, the pointer P displayed on the display D may be moved by the userspatially moving the remote control 200. The spatial movement of theface of the remote control 200 is distinguished from the movement of amouse for a personal computer (PC) which is moved over a surface.

When the face of the remote control 200 is moved in a space, the pointerP displayed on the display D moves in the same direction as the face ofthe remote control 200. For example, 1) if a user moves the face of theremote control 200 upwards within a space, then the pointer P may moveupwards, and 2) if the user moves the face of the remote control 200 tothe upper-left in a space, then the pointer P may move to theupper-left.

Hereinafter, the TV 100 and the remote control 200 illustrated in FIG. 1will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a blockdiagram of the TV 100 and the remote control 200 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the remote control 200 comprises a movement sensor210, a transmitting unit 220, a remote control unit 230, and a key inputunit 240.

The movement sensor 210 senses the movement of the face of the remotecontrol 200, and sends the result of such sensing to the remote controlunit 230 which will be explained in detail below. An exemplaryimplementation may use a biaxial gyro sensor as the movement sensor 210.

The key input unit 240 may comprise a power key, a channel key, a volumekey, a select key, and an option key.

The remote control unit 230 transmits information regarding movementsuch as a moving direction, a moving distance, etc., which is obtainedfrom the sensing result transmitted from the movement sensor 210, to theTV 100 via the transmitting unit 220. The remote control unit 230 alsosends the TV 100 information about keys inputted by the user through thetransmitting unit 220.

Referring to FIG. 2, the TV 100 comprises a broadcast receiver 110, amemory controller 120, a flash memory 130, a hard disc device (HDD)controller 140, a hard disc device (HDD) 150, an image processor 160, aGraphic User Interface (GUI) generator 170, an output unit 180, acontroller 190, and a receiver 195.

The broadcast receiver 110 receives a broadcast over wire or wirelesslyfrom a broadcasting station or a satellite.

The memory controller 120 may store a broadcast, which is outputted fromthe broadcast receiver 110, at the flash memory 130. Also, the memorycontroller 120 may read the broadcast stored at the flash memory 130 andtransmit the read broadcast to the image processor 160 to be explainedbelow.

The flash memory 130 is a storage medium which temporarily stores abroadcast by the memory controller 120. A predetermined amount ofbroadcasts (for example, six-hours of broadcasts) may be stored at theflash memory 130 in a First in First out (FIFO) order.

The predetermined amount of broadcasts is stored at the flash memory 130such that the TV 100 may provide a time-shifting function. The term‘time-shifting’ refers to reproducing a broadcast which has beenpreviously displayed on the screen. A user may watch a past broadcast bysuch time-shifting.

The HDD controller 140 may read the moving image file stored at the HDD150 and transmit the read moving image file to the image processor 160to be explained in detail below. Also, the HDD controller 140 may storethe broadcast being received through the broadcast receiver 110 at theHDD 150 in the form of a moving image file, or may store the movingimage file being inputted from the external apparatus through anexternal input terminal (not shown) at the HDD 150.

The image processor 160 executes image signal processing such asdecoding, or scaling of the broadcast outputted from the memorycontroller 120 or the moving image outputted from the HDD controller140.

The GUI generator 170 generates a GUI to display on the display D, andcombines the GUI with the broadcast outputted from the image processor160.

The output unit 180 may display the image combining the GUI outputtedfrom the GUI generator 170 on the display D, or may output to anexternal display such as external TV connected through an externaloutput terminal (not shown).

The controller 190 controls the overall operation of the TV according tothe user's manipulation comprising movement of the face of the remotecontrol 200, or a key input, which is transmitted from the remotecontrol 200 to the receiver 195.

When the moving image file stored at the HDD 150 is reproduced, thecontroller 190 controls the GUI generator 170 to provide the GUI forchanging a reproducing time point, and controls the HDD controller 140to change the reproducing time point to a time point selected by theuser using the GUI, which will be described in detail below withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method forproviding GUI for changing reproducing time point in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a moving image file stored at the HDD 150 isreproduced (operation S310), if a progress bar displaying command isinputted (operation S315=Y), then the controller 190 controls such thata progress bar and a pointer P are displayed on the display D (operationS320).

Herein, the term progress bar refers to a guide graphic, whichrepresents the length of a whole moving image in a bar form, and whichindicates the current progress of a task by moving the reproducing timepoint.

The progress bar displaying command at operation S315 may be inputted bypressing a certain key such as option key on the key input unit 240, forexample.

To execute operation S320, the controller 190 controls the GUI generator170 to generate a progress bar and a pointer and to combine thegenerated progress bar and pointer P with a moving image to be displayedon the display D.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example of the display D displaying the progressbar 410 and the pointer P according to operation S320. Referring to FIG.4A, the progress bar 410 indicates a current reproducing time point byusing two different colors. That is, a border line between the twocolors on the progress bar 410 represents the current reproducing timepoint.

If specific time point is selected on the progress bar 410 by thepointer P (operation S325), and the controller 190 sets a specific timeperiod which comprises the selected specific time (operation S330).

The selection at operation S325 is executed by moving the face of theremote control 200 relative to the VP so as to move the pointer P topoint a specific time point on the progress bar 410, and then bypressing the select key on the key input unit 240 of the remote control200.

The length of the specific time period set at operation S330 may be inproportion to the whole length of the moving image. For example, if thewhole length of the moving image is one hour, then the length of thespecific time period may be set to ten seconds, and if the whole lengthof the moving image is two hours, then the length of the specific timeperiod may be set to twenty seconds.

The specific time point selected at operation S325 may be, for example,at the middle of the specific time period set at operation S330.Accordingly, if the whole length of the moving image is two hours andthe selected specific time point is ‘1:00:00’, then the specific timeperiod may be ‘0:59:50˜1:00:10’.

The controller 190 samples time points every M seconds in the setspecific time period (operation S335). In the above example, if M is‘2’, then the time points sampled at operation S335 may be ‘0:59:50’,‘0:59:52’, ‘0:59:54’, ‘ . . . ’, ‘1:00:06’, ‘1:00:08’, and ‘1:00:10’.

The controller 190 designates N time points among the sampled timepoints (operation S340). The N time points designated by the controller190 may be, for example, the specific time point which is selected atoperation S325 and the time point which is adjacent to the selectedspecific time point. That is, if N is ‘5’, then the time pointsdesignated at operation S340 may be ‘0:59:56’, ‘0:59:58’, ‘1:00:00’,‘1:00:02’, and ‘1:00:04’.

The controller 190 controls such that reduction images of the N timepoints are displayed on the upper side of the progress bar 140(operation S345).

To process operation S345, the controller 190 1) controls the HDDcontroller 140 to read images of N time points from the HDD 150, 2)controls the image processor 160 to generate the reduction images of Nimages read by the HDD controller 140, and 3) controls the GUI generator170 to combine N reduction images generated at the image processor 160with a moving image displayed on the display D.

The controller 190 controls such that a connection line is provided,visually connecting the specific time points selected at operation S325with N reduction images displayed at operation S345 (operation S350).

To process operation S350, the controller 190 generates the connectionline connecting visually the specific time point with the N reductionimages, and controls the GUI generator 170 to combine the generatedconnection line with a broadcast displayed on the display D.

An example of the display D after processing operations S345 and S350,is illustrated in FIG. 4B. Referring to FIG. 4B, 1 N=5 reduction images430-1, 430-2, 430-3, 430-4, and 430-5 on the upper side of the progressbar 410, and 2) a connection line 440 connecting visually the specifictime point 420 with N=5 reduction images 430-1, 430-2, 430-3, 430-4, and430-5, are displayed.

An icon “

” 450-1 and an icon “

” 450-2 are displayed on the display D. These icons enable the user tocall for other reduction images in the specific time period.

The icon “

” 450-1 is used to input a command for calling for reduction imagesprior to the reduction images 430-1, 430-2, 430-3, 430-4, and 430-5displayed on the display D, and the icon “

” 450-2 is used to input a command for calling for reduction imagesfollowing the reduction images 430-1, 430-2, 430-3, 430-4, and 430-5displayed on the display D.

If one of the reduction images 430-1, 430-2, 430-3, 430-4, and 430-5 isselected by the pointer P (operation S355=Y), then the controller 190changes the current reproducing time point to the time point that thereduction image represents (operation S360).

For example, if a second reduction image 430-2 is selected by thepointer P as illustrated in FIG. 4C, then the controller 190 controlsthe HDD controller 140 to reproduce the moving image from a timerepresented by the second reduction image 430-2.

The selection at operation S355 is executed by pressing the select keyon the key input unit 240 of the remote control after a user manipulatesto move the face of the remote control 200 relative to the VP such thatthe pointer P points to the desired reduction image.

If the icon “

” 450-1 or the icon “

” 450-2 is selected by the pointer P (operation S365=Y), then thecontroller 190 controls to display reduction images prior to orfollowing the reduction images displayed on the display D (operationS370).

For example, if time point ‘1:00:04’ is represented by 5th reductionimage 430-5 illustrated in FIG. 4B, and if the icon “

” 450-2 is selected by the pointer P, then the controller 190 controlsto display the reduction images 430-6, 430-7, and 430-8 poisoned at timepoints ‘1:00:06’, ‘1:00:08’, and ‘1:00:10’ following ‘1:00:04’ on thedisplay D, as shown in FIG. 4D.

To process operation S370, the controller 190 1) controls the HDDcontroller 140 to read images of time points prior to or following theHDD 150, 2) controls the image processor 160 to generate the reductionimages of the images read by the HDD controller 140, and 3) controls theGUI generator 170 to combine the reduction images generated at the imageprocessor 160 with the moving image displayed on the display D.

While a moving image file is reproduced, a process of providing a GUIfor changing a reproducing time point, and a process of changing thereproducing time point to the time point selected by user through theGUI, are explained above in detail with reference to the exemplaryembodiments.

In the exemplary embodiments, a progress bar is explained as an exampleof a reproducing time point guiding graphic which indicates the currentreproducing time point. However, the progress bar is merely an exampleof a reproducing time point guiding graphic, and it is possible to useother forms of guiding graphics.

According to exemplary embodiments described above, the length of thespecific time period is in proportion to the whole length of movingimage being reproduced, but a fixed length may be applied and this fixedlength may be adjusted as necessary. If the fixed length is 20 seconds,for instance, then the length of a specific time period may be set to 20seconds regardless of whenever the whole length of the moving image is 1hour or 2 hours.

According to exemplary embodiments described above, the specific timepoint is positioned at the middle of the specific time period, but thisis only an exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the specific time pointmay be positioned at the beginning or ending of the specific timeperiod, or another point during the time period.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, ‘N’ isthe number of reduction images displayed at once on the display D. ‘N’may be increased, by decreasing a scale of the reduction images. “N” mayalso be decreased, by increasing a scale of the reduction images.

According to exemplary embodiments described above, the time points aresampled at ‘M’-second intervals within the specific time period, but itis possible to sample ‘K’ time points within the specific time period.‘K’ may be the number of the reduction images displayable at once on thedisplay D.

For example, if the number of the reduction image displayable at once onthe display D is 5, and the specific time period is ‘0:59:50˜10:00:10’,then the time points to be sampled may be ‘0:59:52’, ‘0:59:56’,‘1:0:00’, ‘1:00:04’, and ‘1:00:08’.

Consistent with the present invention, the reduction images may bedisplayed at another side instead of the upper side of the progress bar,and the connection line connecting visually the specific time point andthe reduction images may be provided differently from the formillustrated in FIG. 4B.

According to exemplary embodiments described above, a case of providinga GUI to change the reproducing time is explained while reproducingmoving image file from the HDD as a storage medium which is built-in toa TV. However, the present invention is also applicable to instanceswhere a TV has other types of storage media.

Aspects of the present invention are applicable to a case of executingthe time-shifting operation by TV, using a broadcast stored at a flashmemory. The controller 190 may control the memory controller 120 insteadof the HDD controller 140.

Although exemplary embodiments explained above have described the TV asan example of the broadcast receiving apparatus, the broadcast receivingapparatuses may also be implemented as a set top box (STB), a digitalmultimedia broadcast (DMB) receiving apparatus, and a portable apparatuswith a built-in module for receiving a broadcast such as a mobile phonewith a built-in module for receiving a DMB. In the case of such aportable apparatus, a pointer P may be moved by using a touch padinstead of a remote control, for example.

The present invention is applicable to any image apparatus capable ofreproducing a moving image stored at the storage media, in addition tothe broadcast receiving apparatus. Consistent with the presentinvention, a touch pad or a mouse may be used to move the pointer Pinstead of the remote control, according to a kind of the imageapparatus in use.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described indetail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring to FIG. 5, an image apparatus according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention comprises a GUI generator 510, and acontroller 520. The GUI generator 510 generates a GUI and combines thegenerated GUI with an image to be displayed.

The controller 520 controls the GUI generator 510 to generate areproducing time point guiding graphic, and a pointer P indicating thecurrent reproducing time point, to combine with the displayed image. Thecontroller 520 controls the GUI generator 510 so that, if a specifictime point is selected from the reproducing time point guiding graphicby the pointer P, then the reduction images of a part of the time pointswithin the specific time period comprising the specific time point arecombined with the image to be displayed. The controller 520 then changesthe current reproducing time point into the time point represented bythe selected reduction image.

According to the method for providing the GUI for changing thereproducing time point that is illustrated in FIG. 6, the controller 520controls the GUI generator 510 to generate a reproducing time pointguiding graphic and a pointer P indicating the current reproducing timepoint, and to combine the generated reproducing time point guidinggraphic and pointer P with the image to be displayed (operation S610).

If the specific time point is selected from the reproducing time pointguiding graphic by the pointer P, then the controller 520 controls theGUI generator 510 to combine the reduction images of a part of the timepoints within the specific time period comprising the specific timepoint with the image to be displayed (operation S620).

If one of the reduction images is selected, then the controller 520changes the current reproducing time point to the time point that theselected reduction image represents (operation S630).

The GUI for changing the reproducing time point is provided, and thereproducing time point is changed to the time point selected by userthrough the GUI.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention as describedabove, the reduction images of time points positioned within a specifictime period selected by the pointer P are displayed, and the reproducingtime point may be changed to a selected time point as represented by theselected reduction image. Accordingly, the user is able to search adesired time point without going through a plurality of manipulations tochange the reproducing time point by the pointer P on the progress bar.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope ofwhich is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a Graphical User Interface(GUI) for changing a reproducing time point, the method comprising:reproducing a moving image on a display; displaying a progress barrepresenting a whole reproduction length of a currently reproducedmoving image and a pointer for selecting a specific reproduction timepoint on the progress bar; if the pointer is located at the specificreproduction time point on the progress bar, displaying a firstreduction image of the currently reproduced moving image at the selectedspecific reproduction time point and displaying at least one secondreduction image of the currently reproduced moving image at a differentreproduction time point from the selected specific reproduction timepoint, wherein the different reproduction time point is within aspecific time period comprising the selected specific reproduction timepoint; and if one of the first reduction image and the at least onesecond reduction image is selected, reproducing the currently reproducedmoving image from a reproduction time point corresponding to theselected reduction image, wherein the first reduction image and the atleast one second reduction image are overlapped on the moving imagebeing reproduced currently.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: displaying a connection line, which visually connects thespecific reproduction time point on the progress bar with the firstreduction image and the second reduction image; wherein the connectionline is displayed with the displayed image.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein a length of the specific time period is proportional to thewhole reproduction length of the currently reproduced moving image. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the different reproduction time point isa time point prior to or following the specific reproduction time point.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific time period is determinedsuch that the specific reproduction time point is positioned at one of abeginning, a middle, or an end of the specific time period.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the pointer movement relates to movement of aremote control apparatus.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pointermovement relates to two-dimensional movement of the remote controlapparatus.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the pointer moves in a samedirection as a face of the remote control apparatus is moved.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the pointer moves in a same direction as theface of the remote control apparatus, as the remote control apparatus ismoved on a virtual plane which is parallel to a screen of a display. 10.An imaging apparatus comprising: a display which reproduces a movingimage; a Graphical User Interface (GUI) generator which generates aprogress bar representing a whole reproduction length of a currentlyreproduced moving image and a pointer for selecting a specificreproduction time point on the progress bar; and a controller whichcontrols the display to reproduce the currently reproduced moving imagewith the progress bar and the pointer; wherein, if the pointer islocated at the specific reproduction time point on the progress bar,then the controller controls the display to display a first reductionimage of the currently reproduced moving image at the specificreproduction time point and controls the display to display at least onesecond reduction image of the currently reproduced moving image at adifferent reproduction time point from the selected specificreproduction time point, wherein the different reproduction time pointis within a specific time period comprising the selected specificreproduction time point, and wherein the first reduction image and theat least one second reduction image are overlapped on the moving imagebeing reproduced currently; and wherein, if one of the firstreproduction image and the at least one second reproduction image isselected, the controller controls the display to reproduce the currentlyreproduced moving image from a reproduction time point corresponding tothe selected reduction image.
 11. The imaging apparatus of claim 10,wherein the controller controls the GUI generator to display aconnection line, which visually connects the specific reproduction timepoint on the progress bar with the first reduction image and the secondreduction image; wherein the connection line is displayed with theimage.
 12. The imaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein a length of thespecific time period is proportional to the whole reproduction length ofthe currently reproduced moving image.
 13. The imaging apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the different reproduction time point is a time pointprior to or following the specific reproduction time point.
 14. Theimaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein the specific time period isdetermined such that the specific reproduction time point is positionedat one of a beginning, a middle, or an end of the specific time period.15. The imaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pointer movementrelates to movement of a remote control apparatus.
 16. The imagingapparatus of claim 15, wherein the pointer movement relates to atwo-dimensional movement of the remote control apparatus.
 17. Theimaging apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pointer moves in a samedirection as a face of the remote control apparatus is moved.
 18. Theimaging apparatus of claim 17, wherein the pointer moves in a samedirection of the remote control apparatus, as the remote controlapparatus is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel to a screen of adisplay.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein: the reproducing thecurrently reproduced moving image from a reproduction time pointcorresponding to the selected reduction image comprises automaticallychanging a current reproducing time to the reproduction time pointcorresponding to the selected reduction image and reinitiatingreproducing the moving image on the display from the reproduction timepoint corresponding to the selected reduction image comprises.
 20. Theimaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein, when the controller controls thedisplay to reproduce the currently reproduced moving image from thereproduction time point corresponding to the selected reduction image,the controller automatically changes a current reproducing time to thereproduction time point corresponding to the selected reduction imageand reinitiates reproduction of the currently reproduced moving imagefrom the reproduction time point corresponding to the selected reductionimage.
 21. A method for providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) forchanging a reproducing time point, the method comprising: receiving abroadcast signal and storing the received broadcast signal; reproducinga moving image, corresponding to the stored broadcast signal, on adisplay; displaying a progress bar representing a whole reproductionlength of a currently reproduced moving image and a pointer forselecting a specific reproduction time point on the progress bar; if thepointer is located at the specific reproduction time point on theprogress bar, displaying a first reduction image of the currentlyreproduced moving image at the selected reproduction time point anddisplaying at least one second reduction image of the currentlyreproduced moving image at a different reproduction time point from theselected specific reproduction time point, wherein the differentreproduction time point is within a specific time period comprising theselected specific reproduction time point, and wherein the firstreduction image and the at least one second reduction image areoverlapped on the moving image being reproduced currently; and if one ofthe first reduction image and the at least one second reduction image isselected, reproducing the currently reproduced moving image content froma reproduction time point corresponding to the selected reduction image.22. An imaging apparatus comprising: a broadcast receiver which receivesa broadcast signal; a storage medium which stores the received broadcastsignal; a display which reproduces a moving image corresponding to thestored broadcast signal; a Graphical User Interface (GUI) generatorwhich generates a progress bar representing a whole reproduction lengthof a currently reproduced moving image and a pointer for selecting aspecific reproduction time point on the progress bar; and a controllerwhich controls the display to reproduce the currently reproduced movingimage with the progress bar and the pointer; wherein, if the pointer islocated at the specific reproduction time point on the progress bar,then the controller controls the display to display a first reductionimage of the currently reproduced moving image at the specificreproduction time point and controls the display to display at least onesecond reduction image of the currently reproduced moving image at adifferent reproduction time point from the selected specificreproduction time point, wherein the different reproduction time pointis within a specific time period comprising the selected specificreproduction time point, and wherein the first reduction image and theat least one second reduction image are overlapped on the moving imagebeing reproduced currently; and wherein, is one of the firstreproduction image and the at least one second reproduction image isselected, the controller controls the display to reproduce the currentlyreproduced moving image from a reproduction time point corresponding tothe selected reduction image.